MY MILITARY CAREER
Now I commence a brand new era of my life. I am one of the Queen's great
body-guard--I am 'listed--sworn, and all. Why this? Was it because I
wanted to "follow to the field some warlike lord?" No; it was simply a
thirst to see fresh fields and pastures new--fresh places and fresh
faces. It was not long before I found that my desire was to be gratified,
for I learned that the regiment to which I belonged--or soon was to
belong--was already on the road from Aldershot to Edinburgh. I saw that
my long-cherished desire to visit the Land o' Cakes and Barley was to be
fulfilled. I believe that I shall have to confess that the thought of
getting to see bonnie Scotland was the all-powerful reason for my joining
the army. When I 'listed I told the sergeant that he had better take me
to the headquarters in Bradford at once, as I was so well known in the
town, and did not want to figure as a recruit in the "publics," where it
was the custom to keep the recruits until a batch had been got together.
Still the sergeant kept me there, until I threatened that if he did not
send me off at once I would desert and leave the town. I was the only
recruit he got in Bradford. He took me to Pontefract, where there were
more recruits in waiting.
EMBARKING FOR SCOTLAND
I stayed in Pontefract a couple of days, and then I was moved with the
other recruits to the port of Hull, where we embarked one splendid autumn
afternoon in a screw steamer for Leith, in Scotland. I shall never forget
the incidents which happened during this short voyage. There were many
passengers on board, not the least important being a couple of London
sharpers. There was an escort of soldiers who were taking a deserter back
to his regiment, and there was a young man-o'-war's man belonging to the
good ship "Cornwallis." He was going to Scotland to see his mother in
Edinburgh. Then there was an elderly gentleman, who, judging by his
bronzed countenance, had been in a foreign clime for a long time. He was
returning to his native heath. Another passenger was a dashing young
gentleman, whose father, he told us, was an hotel-keeper in Rotherham,
near Sheffield. This one had his fingers gaudily ornamented with rings
and diamonds. Of course there isn't much to be said of us recruits,
except, perhaps, that we were regarded as so many "raw lads."
Nevertheless we passed our time during the day very agreeably in various
ways--games, &c.--until darkness settled over the ship, and then we
retired into the cabin.
THIEVES ON BOARD
At night, I recollect, the wind was very boisterous, and the sea very
rough. All we recruits--or the majority of us--were quite ready for
Morpheus to take us in his arms when retiring-time came. The men's
sleeping apartment was one common room. Stillness and silence--save and
except, perhaps, the snoring--reigned with us until about one after
midnight, when (I remember I was thinking of "Home, Sweet Home" at the
time) I saw two men gliding stealthily about the cabin. One of the men
carried a lighted taper, which he shielded with his hand, and his
companion, I saw, was in the act of robbing the sleeping passengers;
taking anything that came in their way--provided, of course, that it was
worth taking. I overheard one of the two say, "Let's get to the other
side, them recruits'll have nothing." Then did they steal across to the
other side of the cabin. I saw them take money from the old gentleman
first. He was hard asleep. Then they took rings from the fingers of the
young masher, and next turned their attention to the young sailor lad
further on. His money was in a little bag tied round his neck, beneath
his shirt breast. The robbers cut the bag away, and took it with them; it
contained the savings of the lad and his passport. All this I saw done,
and did not dare to move or speak for fear of being "done" by the
rascals. Having stripped the cabin of all that appeared to be in their
line, they left and went up the stairs onto the deck, feeling, I suppose,
cocksure that they had had their rascality to themselves. The morn
dawned, and the first to give the alarm that they had been robbed were
those two London "prigs," who swore vengeance upon the whole of us. One
of them declared that he had been a rogue all his life--a sentiment to
which I said "aye," "aye" in my own mind,--but added that if he could
find the man who had taken 28s from his pockets he would forgive him. The
other thief said he had lost his watch, but he, too, would forgive the
man who would acknowledge and return it. Then there was a general
hulabaloo among the passengers, and everybody began to be alarmed. Each
felt in his pockets and examined his belongings, and with very few
exceptions all who had had anything to lose _had_ lost it. The captain
came across the bow, and was told that there were thieves on board and he
ought to have the passengers searched. The captain said he could hardly
do that on the high seas: it was against all sea-faring law; but he
suggested when they arrived at the port of Leith the authorities would do
their best to find out the guilty ones. He also pointed out that it
behoved anyone on board, if he had the slightest suspicion, to give
information to him.
HOW THE THIEVES WERE TRAPPED
I knew full well I was the one able to do this, but I did not step
forward, being somewhat at a loss which way to go about it. However, as
we were coasting Fifeshire, I slipped down into the steward's room, when
all the passengers were basking in the sun on the deck, and told the
steward all I knew about the affair. I got him to promise to tell the
captain in such a way that it should not be known until we had
disembarked that I had given the information. He transferred the
information to the captain, and presently the steward came and beckoned
me to follow him down to his cabin, remarking that nobody would see me. I
saw the captain, and told him what I knew of the matter. The robbery
continued to be the sole topic of talk the rest of the journey. Clearing
the coast of Fife, we soon came in sight of Edinburgh, and, sailing up
the Forth, we finally landed at Leith. It was Sunday afternoon, and there
were large numbers of people about to watch us land. The majority of the
people ran for the first pier, but the captain ordered the vessel to land
at the second pier, which disappointed the people. Two Scottish policemen
were stationed at the bottom of the gangway. The escort with their
prisoner were allowed to pass; also the recruits, with the exception of
myself. Next the passengers filed off, and, in turn, came the two cockney
"prigs." The captain ordered them to be searched by the policeman; and
searched they were, though not without some show of resistance.
Everything that was missing was found upon them, with the exception of
the young sailor's passport.
THE TRIAL AND IMPRISONMENT
The twain were handcuffed and taken to Carlton Gaol, at the top end of
Edinburgh, and the next morning they were tried before the Lord Provost,
and each sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour. I was
called to give evidence in the court, and chagrined the two London
sharpers must have felt to find out how they had been caught red-handed.
This was my first appearance in a police court.
AT EDINBURGH--BILL TELLS THE COLONEL SOMETHING
On the night of our arrival, the deserter was taken to Edinburgh, and put
into the guard-room. The recruits and myself were drawn up in line before
the Colonel, and we were asked particularly who we were and whence we
came. My turn arrived. "Well, and who are you?" says the Colonel. "You
seem to have had a better time than these Sheffielders." I told him that
I was from Keighley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. "Is that somewhere
near Bingley?" asked the Colonel. "Yes," replied I, "about four miles
away." "Do you know a gentleman in the neighbourhood called William
Busfeild Ferrand?" "Yes, sir," replied I. "He lives at St. Ives; I know
him very well." "Have you (queried the Colonel with a merry twinkling in
his eye) ever had any of his hares and rabbits?" "No," replied I, "I'm
not a poacher." "Well," remarked the Colonel, "I think you will do well;
perhaps it's the best thing you ever did. But of these Sheffielders I
have no high opinion; they're a bad sample of soldiers indeed, and if I
had my way I would petition Government to have no Sheffielders at all in
the Army." Then we retired from the Colonel's presence, the sergeant in
charge being instructed to take us on the following morning before the
regimental doctor for examination. Set at liberty for the time being, we
recruits made for the canteen. There we found all classes of
soldiers--Highlanders, Lancers, Artillerymen--all supping their ale and
making merry.
A RED-LETTER DAY IN MY LIFE
Next morning the recruits were brought before the doctor, who duly
examined and passed us--all but two men. The next move was to the
quarter-master's stores; and now, for the first time in my life, I donned
the Queen's uniform. This, I can truly say, was a red-letter day in my
career: I felt a proud man for the moment, and I remember the thought
suggesting itself, "Now, where will this land you, William Wright?" I had
a longing to see the city and its surroundings--Holyrood Palace, Roslin
Castle, John Knox's house, &c.; so I asked the quarter-master for the
necessary leave. But he said that before I could leave the barracks I
must get quit of my civilian's clothing--you see they were frightened I
should desert. I was told that there was a Jew in the bottom corridor of
the castle who bought second-hand clothing.
"JEWED" BY A JEW
I accordingly paid a visit to my friend Isaac, and asked him, "What will
give me for this suit o' clothes? They cost me 3 pounds 10s in Bradford
only three weeks ago, and, besides, these boots are nearly new." "Well,
my frent," said the old _Jew_ "tem poots vill be sixpence, an' tees cloas
vill pe von shillin'; an' (speaking with warmth) I vill not gif you von
penny more for tem--not von penny." "I'll be blessed if I'll take that"
said I, also speaking with some fervour; "You vile dog of a Jew! No
wonder that your race is hated in every clime, for you would rob a saint
of his shoe strings!" But the Jew had been tempered to these oft repeated
"blessings," as was proved by the coolness with which he said: "Howefer,
dat is vhat I vill gif you, an' not anoder farding." Seeing that
parleying was useless with this worldly extortionizer, and seeing, also,
what a fix I was in, I eventually parted with my clothes and shoes.
BEFORE THE DRILL-SERGEANT
After that I was at liberty to leave the barracks; which I did, and made
my way down into the city--into Canongate. On my return to barracks it
was time for recruits' drill. The drill-sergeant had a voice like unto a
growling buffalo. He said: "Now, then, ye recruits, Ye're not at home
now--a lot of sucking pigs with your mothers. Ye've got good pay and
rations, and by the bokey ye'll have to drill." This was the order of the
day for two months, and at the end of that time I had made pretty fast
progress with my drill, and I was shortly placed in the ranks as a
full-blown soldier.
A PROMOTION
One morning, soon after this, I was called to the orderly-room. I was
told that it had pleased my superiors to promote me to the rank of a
lance-corporal. I made some objection to this, saying I did not yet know
private's duty, as I had only been a private for two months. But the
colonel told me that I could well learn the duties of both private and
lance-corporal at the same time. Therefore, I accepted the promotion,
though I was quite content to stay as I was, and I got a stripe to put on
my tunic and "shell" jacket; also on my great coat. My first duty as a
lance "Jack" was as escort of a coal fatigue in the castle. I had under
me a squad of old soldiers, whose duty it was to carry boxes of coals
from the basement to the upper story in the building. Although I was very
forbearing with the men, they were ever and anon grumbling and growling,
and in the course of one of their little outpourings I heard a veteran
exclaim that he never knew a fool in his life but what was lucky!
A WARNING AND ITS EFFECT
After superintending the coal fatigue, I was put in charge of a dozen
privates, young and old, in one of the bottom rooms of the castle. Some
of the young bloods were very generous in their fault-finding and acts of
disobedience. One of the old fellows actually point-blankly refused to
wash and scrub the benches in the room--which I had ordered him to do. By
this time their pleading and other things had somewhat "softened my heart
towards them," and the thought came into my head, "don't be so hard on
the poor old chaps; you're abler to do the work than some of them." Thus
my feelings prompted me to take my turn with them, and, divesting myself
of my jacket, and rolling up my shirt sleeves, I set myself to scrubbing
the benches. But, by Jupiter! no sooner had I commenced my self-imposed
task than in popped Captain Clifford Lloyd, who was on his rounds. "What
are you doing there, corporal?" he bellowed forth when he saw me. "Oh, I
am just scrubbing the forms, sir, for a bit of exercise" said I. "D...
you and your exercise," retorted the captain sternly. "Now, don't let me
catch you at it again. Here's an old lazy hound behind you who knows very
well that it is his duty, and I shall take that stripe off your arm if I
catch you at this job again." Of course, as a non-commissioned officer, I
took the warning to heart, and kept to my own duties for the future--the
warning having taken effect with the old soldiers as well as myself.
HOAXED BY THE SERGEANTS
Of course I came in for hoaxes from the sergeants. I mind one incident
which happened one evening. During the day I had been in charge of the
cook-house. Sergeant Murphy, an old soldier, came to me and said I was
wanted by the sergeant-major immediately. "What's the matter? There is
nothing wrong with me, is there?" I asked, noticing that the messenger
looked rather concerned. "Don't you know?" I asked again, and then the
sergeant said, "If _you_ don't know, you soon will do. The fact is, you
have spoiled the coppers in the cook-house, you have burned the bottoms
out of them." "They were all right when I left" I retorted, beginning to
feel rather "queer." If I had never been one before I felt a coward then;
but, come what might, I thought, they can only reduce me in rank. So with
"firm step" I marched to the sergeant-major's quarters. To my
surprise--and in a manner which at once put me at my ease--the
sergeant-major bade me a cheerful "Good evening." He told me that he had
a job for me--he wanted me to accompany fifteen recruits to the theatre,
and strictly enjoined me to see them back to barracks after the theatre
closed. I took the men to the play-house, and brought them all back safe
and sound, and the sergeant-major expressed himself very pleased with my
abilities as a _chaperon_.
BANQUET AT EDINBURGH CASTLE
Shortly after there was to be a grand festival in the Castle given by
Captain Darnall, who was severing his connection with the Castle. I was
relieved of all soldier's duties for nine days, and told off with others
to decorate certain rooms on the premises in preparation for the
festival. The event came off in due course; it was a grand affair, and
was made the most of on all hands. Captain Darnall presented the oldest
soldier with a silver cup.
CHANGE OF VENUE
It was not long ere I was made a full Corporal, and commenced to receive
double pay. Now I felt a hero, and no mistake. All this time I had been a
keen observer of both men and manners, and I had really seen all there
was to be seen in Edinburgh and neighbourhood. It was, therefore, with
pleasurable feelings that I heard that No. 7 Company, to which I
belonged, was to be sent to the military garrison at Greenlaw--a bonny
little village some ten miles from Edinburgh. I think the scenery in this
district is about the most picturesque and romantic in all Scotland.
Roslin Castle is only a short distance away. The neighbourhood is divided
into little villages, and to one of these--Milton Bridge--I paid frequent
visits during my sojourn at Greenlaw. At Milton Bridge there was a
tavern, known by the sign of "The Fishers' Tryst," kept by a cheery old
gentleman and his daughter. I got on very friendly terms with the
landlord and his lassie, and entrusted to them the secret as to who I
really was;--for I had joined the regiment under a _nom de plume_. In my
communications with my friends at Keighley I gave them to understand that
I was working as an ordinary individual for my living. I dated all my
letters from "The Fishers' Tryst," in the name of "William Ferdinand
Wright," and for three years I avoided identification.